Boylan has been doing collaborative research with undergraduate students on environmental analysis of hydraulic fracturing for over a year. She will discuss the pros and cons of shale gas extraction in the context of undergraduate research on the topic. She will also share experimental results on frack water and future plans involving air quality monitoring.

Boylan, a Westminster graduate who joined the faculty in 2001, earned a Ph.D. from Duquesne University.

The Faculty Forum was established in 1990 by Dr. Barbara Faires, Westminster professor of mathematics emerita, during her term as dean of the college and vice president for academic affairs. Faculty members from all disciplines volunteer to present lectures on their current research, artistic productions, and scholarship of teaching and learning. Each forum presents new ideas with innovative lecture techniques.